Novel garment for recreational, medical, and fire applications

ABSTRACT

The invention incorporates a legging and a sock into one clothing article. The fabrics and sock legging attachment mechanisms can be varied for specialized uses ranging from fire-safety clothing to medical patient wear to recreational uses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the field of functional garments and clothing apparel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,825, the inventor describes a sock and leggings incorporated into a lined boot. In CA 1202779 A the inventors describe a similar invention as an internal addition to a boot. In inventions such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,803, the legging is tapered into a stirrup like configuration in conjunction with a spat. The prior art tends to emphasize very specific add-ons either to socks or to leggings and most often times with attachments to shoe wear. The invention in this application, in this respect, is different from the reviewed prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to develop a clothing item which incorporates the advantages of a legging and a sock simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to develop a clothing product which allows for ease of donning and removal. Another object of the invention is to develop a specialized garment for professionals exposed to fire risks. Another object of the invention is the development of a clothing device which can be worn by patients with needs for leg support. Another object of the invention is to develop a clothing item which facilitates the donning and removal of boots. Yet another object of the invention is to develop a specialized garment which can complement and facilitate the donning and removal of wet- and dry suits for scuba and skin diving.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is the combination of a sock in it's lower portion with a legging in it's upper portion. The material and fabric can vary from fabrics designed for leisure and comfort wear to specialized materials with designer thermal or tear-resistant properties for specialized professional or recreational uses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wool, cotton, synthetic nylon, polyester, or polyolefin, neoprene, or flame retardant material is used to make a sock which is then attached mechanically via a woven stitch, a buttoning mechanism, clasps, or a fiber-crochet attachment mechanism to a legging. The legging can further extend towards a terminal elastic band at the upper thigh, or be combined at the lower abdomen into an underwear-like top portion, which can also contain girdle-like support elements for muscle support.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

In one example the legging upper portion is filled with insulating mineral wool and ceramic fibers as well as with reflective aluminum or aluminum vapor-deposited fibers strips. The legging can be further lined with a comfortable liner fabric. The attached sock can be of the same or different material for maximum comfort and flame resistance for use with fire protective clothing and boots.

In another example, the legging portion can be made of of polyamide polyolefin fiber blends with the lower portion of the material being made of polyamide fibers for high impact and tear resistance.

In another example, the legging and the sock can be made from natural keratin fibers and attached by metal snaps or fiber-crochet attachments, or buttons. Panels can sewn into portions of the garment to add various comfort and friction materials to precise portions of the inner and outer surfaces of the garment depending upon uses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a profile view of on of the possible embodiments of the invention. The sock portion extends to the lower portion of the leg, above the ankle. 

1. A garment where the top portion consists of a legging and the lower portion incorporates a sock into one contiguous clothing article.
 2. The claim in 1 where the two portions are joined by either buttons, snaps, hooks or crochets or fiber-crochet attachment system.
 3. The claim in 1 where the upper portion of the garment is held in place by an elastomer band.
 4. The claim in 1 where the knee portion contains an elastomer band
 5. The claim in 1 where the garment is made from elastomer foam such as urethane, butyl rubber or latex in an open or closed cell configuration.
 6. The claim in where the material is made of synthetic polyester, polyamide, natural keratin fibers, cellulose, polyimide, or fluropolymer or polyolefin fiber or any combination thereof.
 7. The claim in 1 where the material has thermal insulation properties for low temperature, or thermal insulation applications.
 8. The claim in 1 where the material is reinforced thoughout with elastomer material for leg tissue support functions.
 9. A garment incorporating two leggings and two incorporated socks into one garment.
 10. The claim in 9 where the central panel at the waist in reinforced with high tension material to flatten lower abdominal muscles.
 11. The claim in 9 where the material is polyamide, polyimide, or an elastomer material.
 12. The claim in 9 where the material has aluminized thermally reflective fibers with flame retardant properties added to the polymer.
 13. The claim in 9 where the fibers are surface-treated with a hydrophobic material.
 14. The claim in 9 where the abdominal panel is inflatable around the waist for muscle support.
 15. The claims in 9 where the fibers are treated with hydrophilic coatings and modified for increased wicking. 